The Everyday Pastor: Episode No. 001
This episode delves into the delicate balancing act of pastoral life. It raises questions about maintaining personal health, sharpening one’s mind, nurturing relationships with church members, caring for family, and even owning up to mistakes. Recorded live at the 2025 National Conference, this session sees hosts Matt Smethurst and Ligon Duncan answering listener-submitted questions that speak directly to everyday challenges in ministry.
One memorable piece of advice echoed during the discussion was: “Walk to a wedding, but run to a funeral.” This saying served as a reminder of the unique opportunities funerals offer to extend gospel hope, as well as a prompt for discussing common pitfalls and offering practical advice for handling the delicate dynamics that arise when a loved one passes away.
Recommended Resources
- Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope by Matt McCullough
- Remember Heaven: Meditations on the World to Come for Life in the Meantime by Matt McCullough
Transcript
Matt Smethurst is the lead pastor at River City Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, and co-hosts and edits The Everyday Pastor podcast. He has authored several books that explore the transformative power of the gospel and practical ways to share one’s faith. Outside of ministry, he enjoys a vibrant family life with his wife and five children.
Ligon Duncan earned his PhD from the University of Edinburgh and serves as chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary as well as president of RTS Jackson. In his role as the John E. Richards professor of systematic and historical theology and as a key leader at The Gospel Coalition, he brings a wealth of insight to the conversation. He and his wife share their journey with two adult children.
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